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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Chalk Versus Liquid Chalk Markers




Which is Better for Writing on Chalkboard Film? 

Chalk or Chalk Ink?




There’s nothing wrong with using chalk to write on chalkboard films.  We designed our ChalkTalk™ film with chalk in mind. Nevertheless, I believe that the new liquid chalk markers, such as the Chalk Ink® brand of markers, are much better suited for writing on our chalkboard film. 


Chalk Ink Advantages


The first in a number of advantages is that liquid chalk markers are not messy. They don’t produce chalk dust. The Chalk Ink® markers remove cleanly, easily with no ghosting, if you use markers, which are compatible with the writing surface. (Advantages of Chalk Ink® are explained in more detail in their YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu4xm8UO7AE.)

Real chalk is abrasive. Every time you use it on a chalkboard film, it scratches the surface.  Eventually, the surface of the film is so scratched up, that its appearance is objectionable. We have tested many types of chalk on our ChalkTalk™ film, on competitive films and on slate chalkboards. The result is always the same.  Regardless of whether we use soft chalk, dustless chalk or colored chalk, they all have abrasive particles and all leave indelible marks on all types of chalkboards. 

The final advantage of Chalk Ink® markers is the boldness of their colors. If you are using ChalkTalk™ film in a commercial application, such as for a restaurant menu board, the colors of the liquid markers are much more vibrant and aesthetically appealing than regular chalk. 

The colors of liquid chalk ink markers are much more vibrant than conventional chalk. While the ink is still wet, you can blend multiple colors.

Be careful of which brand of marker that you buy. There are chalk ink markers and then there are Chalk Ink® Markers. They are not all the same. And not all are compatible with our ChalkTalk™ film. Some types of generic chalk ink markers, such as the Pentel markers, utilize a solvent-based ink, which do not remove cleanly from RTape’s ChalkTalk™ chalkboard film.


Chalk Ink Product Line


The Chalk Ink® product line is comprised of a number of different types of markers, each of which has its own unique properties.  These four types of ChalkTalk® products are: Dry Erase Design, Wet Wipe Design, Artista Pro Water Proof Style and the Permanent Design.

Dry Erase Design

Of this brand of products, two types work especially well with RTape’s ChalkTalk™ chalkboard film. The Dry Erase Design is very similar to regular chalk.  You can write on Chalk Talk™ just as you would write with chalk. And just like regular chalk, when it comes time to remove the writing, just wipe the surface clean with an eraser or a rag. This type of marker does not require water for removal. The Dry Erase Design can also be used to write on the EZErase™ dry erase vinyl.

Wet Wipe Design


The Wet Wipe Design   type of marker uses a water-based ink. Once the ink has dried on the surface of ChalkTalk™, the ink resists smearing. To clean the ink from the surface of ChalkTalk™, simply wipe the ink with a damp rag.  The ink should come off easily and with no ghosting residue.


Chalk Ink 6mm Classic Wet Wipe Markers


● Waterbased pigment ink.
● Removes easily with ammonia based cleaner.
● Non-toxic; no harmful solvents such as xylene.

● Works on a wide range of non-porous surfaces.




Artista Pro Water Proof Style

Chalk Ink® also makes a water-proof Chalk Ink® marker called the “Artista Pro Water Proof Style”.   You cannot remove the ink with water. Instead, you must clean the ChalkTalk™ surface with an ammonia-based cleaner, such as Windex. 


Permanent Model

A fourth type of Chalk Ink® marker has a permanent ink. If you draw on ChalkTalk™ with the Permanent Model, what you see is what you get.  You will not be able to remove the image, hence the designation as “Permanent”.

At this time we are testing the compatibility of other markers with the RTape ChalkTalk™ product.  We believe that other water-based liquid chalk markers are likely on the market and will perform acceptably. As we continue our investigations and make our determinations and recommendations, we will publish the results. For more information on Chalk Ink®, visit their website at www.chalkink.com. To learn more about RTape’s ChalkTalk™, call your RTape distributor or visit our website at www.rtape.com and www.rtape.com/chalktalk/.

About ChalkTalk™. 


 RTape’s ChalkTalk™ is non-vinyl chalkboard film. Originally, we developed the product for home use. So it had to be child safe and user-friendly. A low initial tack adhesive makes  ChalkTalk™  easy to apply, even for an unexperienced installer.  Just peel and stick. The thicker 6.5 mil film is much easier to handle than flimsy vinyl films. It applies easily to sign substrates, conference walls and kitchen cabinets.

Unlike other chalkboard films, ChalkTalk™ is also easy and safe to remove. Just peel it off the surface. It removes with no damage to the substrate and no messy adhesive residue. That means you don’t need to mess with toxic chemical removers.

ChalkTalk™ is also safe enough for children to handle. It contains no harmful levels of phthalate plasticizers, no lead and no carcinogens. And it’s even safe for indirect food contact.  Tested by an independent lab, ChalkTalk™ complies with California’s Prop 65 and federal CPSIA regulations. The product is available through RTape’s distributor network in 24” x 10 yd rolls; 24” x 50 yd rolls; 48” x 10 yd and 48” x 50 yd rolls.







Vinyl Application Videos

Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link

Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link

Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link

Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films.  Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link

3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link


Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free.  Click to Link

Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link

Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link

RECOMMENDED VINYL GRAPHICS ARTICLES



About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 



© 2016 Jim Hingst
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2 comments:

  1. Jacob HoaglundMay 25, 2015 at 4:55 AM

    Fairly good post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.

    Liquid Chalk Markers

    ReplyDelete
  2. stvenmartinezJune 18, 2020 at 5:38 AM

    Thank you for writing this informative blog. It is the most important topic for everyone who wants to draw small art on board. But chalkboard markers is the best.

    ReplyDelete